Paula Harwood Net Worth | Husband

What is Paula Harwood’s net worth? Who is Paula Harwood’s husband?

Introduction

Paula Harwood is a Tufts University graduate, philanthropist, and vocal advocate of equal rights—but she is probably most well known as the wife of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit actor Peter Gallagher.

Now in their 60’s, the couple has been married for a long time and have two children together.

While Paula has skirted the limelight and only appears at awards ceremonies and red-carpet events to support her husband, both their children have followed Peter into the limelight.

If you’ve ever wondered what life is like when your husband has been on TV and cinema screens for decades, it sounds like it is actually surprisingly normal.

Here’s what we know about Paula Harwood, celebrity wife.

The Origin Story

Paula Harwood was born on August 1, 1955, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Paul and Paulette Harwood (no, that’s not a joke!).

Paul was an oil company exec, and Paulette was a famed professional dancer and dance teacher.

Paulette, who her children described as a perfectionist, was known across the US for her teachings and talent.

Paula Harwood once told the Boston Globe:

“There is nowhere that I’ve ever gone that somebody hasn’t […] said to me, “I studied with your mother.” How far her reach has been over 58 years of teaching.”

Paula has two siblings, an older sister named Pauline Harwood Wright, and a younger sister named Paulette Harwood Rigo.

Paula also has several nieces and nephews—Burton and Paul are Pauline’s children, and Paulette has a daughter named Nicholette and two sons, Joseph and Jeffrey.

Paula Harwood and her sisters lost their father in 1996. Their mother, Paulette, passed away in August 2019 at 91 years of age.

Love & Marriage

Paula followed in the footsteps of her father by enrolling at his alma mater, Tufts University, in Medford, Massachusetts.

While she was studying at the prestigious private research university, she met Peter Gallagher.

It took Gallagher a little while to work up the courage to ask the charming blonde academic out. Initially, he saw her in a stairwell—she was wearing platform shoes and bellbottoms and heading up the stairs for a date.

Gallagher was heading downstairs and explained to talk show host—and former American Idol winner—Kelly Clarkson that “she was so beautiful. And an amazing dancer. And I was just doot doodoot doodoot dorky.”

Eventually, the famed New York actor would make his move, and the pair were married on May 7, 1983.

In May 2019, the SVU and O.C. star posted a photo of him and his wife on Instagram, along with a caption singing her praises.

He called 36 years of marriage “pretty embarrassing for show business” and called asking her out the “best thing” he ever did.

He closed off the caption by saying, “Oh, and thank you for the kids.”

The couple celebrated 39 years of marriage.

“We are two very lucky, grateful people,” Peter said for their 40-year anniversary.

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Children

Paula Harwood and Peter Gallagher have two children together—a daughter named Kathryn and a son named James.

James was born in 1990, and—while he may only be in his 30’s—he’s already an esteemed director and producer.

James Gallagher directed Love in 2019 and Paulette in 2021, the same year his grandmother of the same name passed away.

Kathryn was born in July 1993. She has followed in her dad’s footsteps and become an actress—a successful one, too.

Choosing to grow her career on stage, Kathryn won a Grammy Award and was nominated for a Tony Award for her portrayal of Bella Fox in Jagged Little Pill on Broadway. She was honored by the Outer Critics Circle as an outstanding featured actress in a musical.

The young up-and-comer also earned guest roles on television, in the hit shows You, Blue Bloods, and Gossip Girl.

She studied theatre at Adderley School and music at the University of Southern California.

When Kathryn branched out into music, her song Nothing Ever None landed on the 2011 soundtrack for the film Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You. She has since released several albums, including I’m Fine and American Spirit.

She performs live across the US.

Paula Harwood – Net Worth

Paula Harwood has an estimated net worth of $15 million.

In February 2016, Gallagher and his wife listed their Brentwood house for $6m. In April 2016, the price dropped to $5.25m. The two bought the house in 2007 for $3m.

Note – Harwood’s net worth is combined with her husband’s net worth.

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